{"id":113966,"date":"2019-05-20T06:00:55","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T11:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=113966"},"modified":"2019-05-15T16:50:33","modified_gmt":"2019-05-15T21:50:33","slug":"documentary-tips-mockumentaries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/documentary-tips-mockumentaries\/","title":{"rendered":"Actual Documentary Tips You Can Learn from Popular Mockumentaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been said that the best way to learn an art form is through imitation. But, the true way to master an art form is to mock it.<\/h2>\n

Documentary filmmaking is no easy task. It takes years of work honing your chops and practicing the skills needed to produce, shoot, and edit meaningful stories, that engage and excite documentary audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

And while the documentary industry might be growing in terms of <\/span>micro-ized content<\/span><\/a>, it still takes filmmakers with a keen understanding of what makes documentaries tick. From finding interesting subjects, to crafting concise narratives, to shooting intense, personal moments, all the elements that make a good documentary can also be found in the genre\u2019s sardonic cousin \u2014 the mockumentary.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, using some of the most popular mockumentaries from the past, let\u2019s take a look at some of the intrinsic lessons you can learn and apply to your documentary endeavors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Characters Make the Story<\/h3>\n

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Image from Best in Show<\/a> (via <\/em>Wa<\/a>rner<\/a> Bros<\/a>.).<\/em><\/p>\n

Just like a mockumentary, your documentary project(s) will only be as good as your subject(s). Yes, sometimes your subject is a concept, cause, or event, but it’s the characters therein that make the story. Best in Show<\/em>, for example, on the surface is about the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show in Philadelphia. But, it\u2019s really about dog owner characters who are the main subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, a documentary like American Movie<\/em><\/a> is about the making of an independent horror film, but really it\u2019s about the main lead Mark Borchardt and an eccentric cast of characters, in small town Wisconsin. The trick for both is to create, find, and bring your unique characters to life on the screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But Conflict Drives the Narrative<\/h3>\n

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Image from This is Spinal Tap<\/a> (via <\/em>Embassy Pictures<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

Because they are fiction and often scripted, mockumentaries will always have the advantage over documentaries in terms of developing intriguing conflict and strong narrative arcs. Not that real life isn\u2019t ripe with conflict, but mockumentaries get the luxury of manufacturing the drama.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take This is Spinal Tap<\/em>, for example, directed by Rob Reiner and written by its ensemble cast. The mockumentary film lampoons heavy metal culture and the classic rock-style documentaries that seem to exist for every band ever. And while it\u2019s about the music, the inevitable conflicts that arise between band members over their rise and fall are what drives the narrative.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Prioritize Intimate Scenes<\/h3>\n

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Image from What We Do in the Shadows<\/a> (via <\/em>Paramount Picture<\/a>s<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

Documentary filmmaking can often be an art of finding a delicate balance between personal privacy and capturing true intimacy. Mockumentaries don\u2019t actually have to deal with filmmakers being too intrusive of making its subjects uncomfortable because it’s dealing with professional actors and fiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

What We Do in the Shadows<\/em> makes great use of this verite-esque style of filmmaking. It employs a number of techniques to suggest that the documentary crew is sneaking around and finding creative ways to capture intimate moments by shooting through windows, relying on audio recordings, or filming from extremely far away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Documentary filmmakers deal with much more difficult practical and ethical concerns, though. You should never exploit your subjects or document them without their consent. And, even if they do allow it, get their wishes in writing in case they change their mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019re doing expose-style work, only capture intimate moments with previous consent. However, if the subjects agree, keeping space and finding the similar methods to capture private scenes, without obstructing them or distracting them, can become some of your most powerful documentary moments. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Balance Dialogue and Reaction Shots<\/h3>\n

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Image from <\/em>Borat<\/em><\/a> (via <\/em>20th Century<\/a> F<\/a>ox<\/a>).<\/p>\n

For practical purposes, documentary filmmaking comes in all shapes and sizes. Some docs shoot single camera and make sporadic use of lighting or external equipment. While others use multiple cameras and feature high production quality interviews and motion graphics.<\/span><\/p>\n

One mockumentary that truly captures the more DIY documentary style would be Borat<\/em> \u2014 or at least based on the segments featuring him on Sasha Baron Cohen\u2019s Da Ali G Show<\/em>. For an HBO produced program, the show works hard to hide its production values with camcorder quality footage and small crews.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you watch it, Borat<\/em> is a masterclass in balancing character interactions and reaction shots. Most of the show\u2019s humor comes from the authentic reactions from the non-actors being interviewed. Similarly, for Cohen\u2019s Ali G and Bruno characters, the crew puts as much of the focus \u2014 if not more \u2014 on capturing reactions and responses to the main subjects’ dialogue and actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Follow the Funny<\/h3>\n

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Image from <\/em>Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping<\/em><\/a> (via <\/em>Universal Pictures<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s odd to think that the mockumentary genre has predominantly been used to create comedy. Conversely, documentaries are often thought to be a more serious (or somber) art form that shines a mirror upon society with the hopes of eliciting change. However, as the medium has developed and grown, humor has found its way alongside it. Documentaries themselves have found more ways to entertain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lonely Island\u2019s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping<\/em> is one of the latest in a line of parody mockumentaries that satires recent pop culture phenomenons, placing them in a comical light. You could even say it’s still meant to explore, or poke fun at, things that society actually takes seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Documentaries are no different. For the ones looking to provide information in order to help bring about change, part of the appeal to audiences can be expressed through the same funny principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cover image from Mascots<\/a> (via <\/em>Netflix<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

For more documentary filmmaking tips, tricks and advice, check out some of these articles below.<\/p>\n